Why Non-Surgical Gum Therapy Is The Best Bet For Those With Odontophobia

Even people who practice excellent dental hygiene can develop some type of gum infection. This can be especially difficult for people who suffer with a condition known as odontophobia. Defined as a fear of dental surgery, a patient suffering with this disorder will find going for any type of gum therapy to be difficult. Fortunately, a non-surgical approach can take care of many gum issues. Here are a few reasons why trying those first is a good idea.

Communication Before Any Treatment

Dental anxiety or odontophobia may be triggered by past experiences with a dentist that were less than pleasant. At times, the experience could have been avoided if the dental professional had talked more with the patient before the procedure. With that in mind, spending time going over the treatment process and answering questions about the gum therapy will often ease some of the patient’s fears. This is important, since the patient’s cooperation will be key to dealing with the gum disease effectively.

Putting the Patient at Ease

Communication continues to be important during the non-surgical treatment proper. For example, if the next move may cause some pain, it’s better to tell the patient that he or she may feel a little discomfort before proceeding. Even though the patient is not in a position to verbally communicate to any great degree, hand gestures and similar forms of communication let the dentist know the patient understands and is prepared for what comes next. Talking to the patient also helps the time to pass, something that will make the gum therapy easier for the patient to endure.

The Patient Feels More in Control

Another potential issue with odontophobia is that the patient may have a fear of being heavily sedated. If there is a treatment for the gum disease that requires little more than deadening the gum, the patient remains awake. In the back of the patient’s mind, being awake also means remaining in control. While it’s not likely to happen, there is always the option of stopping the Markham gum therapy at any point and leaving the office. Just knowing that could happen if the patient wanted is often enough to keep the fear at bay long enough to undergo the non-surgical treatment.

Shorter Recovery Period

Another major perk of non-surgical gum therapy is that the recovery period is often shorter. Patients who have trouble seeking dental help in the first place will love the fact that the problem was eliminated without any invasive surgery, and the use of laser technology or antibiotics will not interfere with the usual daily routine. While it may be necessary to refrain from a few types of activity for a day or two, the aftermath of a non-surgical treatment is typically less complex, something the patient will appreciate.

If you experience dental anxiety and avoid trips to the dentist because of concerns about needing surgery, call and make an appointment today. Tell the staff up front you suffer with odontophobia and will want to explore non-surgical gum therapy first. You’ll find that most dental professionals understand this type of anxiety and will help you explore all the most effective approaches to Markham gum therapy before mentioning surgery.